Activists from three Scottish branches of public sector trade union UNISON have just returned from visiting Kharkiv and Kyiv on a solidarity delegation. Below is a summary report they have written. As they explain they will be publishing a fuller report. (Now published: see here.)

You can find more updates, photos, videos, etc, on the delegation’s Facebook group here; and on our thread on X beginning here.

The delegation is holding a report back event on Monday 3 November (more details soon). If you would like one of them to speak at your union branch or other organisation, get in touch and we’ll put you in touch: info@ukrainesolidaritycampaign.org

If you’re in UNISON and would like to get involved in UNISON Members for Ukraine, see here.

Our delegates returned from Kharkiv on 4th October after a very full week in Kharkiv – hopefully you followed our daily updates posted on social media. In brief and with the enthusiastic assistance of our friends and trade union comrades in Ukraine, they visited and met with numerous activists, and along the way met many people in different settings. They also got an opportunity to see this city that retains its beauty despite the best efforts of the Russian invaders to wreak ongoing havoc and destruction. Visits included:

• an underground school

• an undergound kindergarten

• the site of a new kindergarten in a nearby town

• a sports complex

• a sports school partially destroyed by the Russians

• a university

• a social work setting

• a hospital

• city administration

• an LGBTQ support centre

They also met with Razom We Stand – an environmental organisation in Kyiv – and attended a public sector trade union conference, on their way home. Altogether a full week, some of which (at night), was spent in air raid shelters during attacks on the city.

Now they are home, decisions are being made about where all the funds you helped raise will go – nearly £17,000 including direct donations from trade union branches (UNISON, ASLEF, NUJ, UCU, GMB). So far we have resolved to donate to:

• trade union training

• a foodbank

• a power source for a social work day centre for the elderly

• resources for Spectrum LGBTQ centre

• rrone detecting equipment for journalists

• Rehabilitation materials for the city farm and Aquarena Sports Centre

Enquiries are underway to establish other need before final decisions are made.

Our delegation leader, Stephen Smellie, is completing a full written report on the visit which will be distributed widely. Our delegates are also keen, where possible, to report back direct to trade union and other organisations – if you have an idea about this please get in touch. We will also be doing an online report back with an open invitation to attend – watch this space – and keep the evening of Monday 3rd November clear in your diary for this.

Thank you once again for your support for this effort

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